IN THE NEWS AND PUBLISHED ARTICLES

Read about Dr. Abraham in the news as well as his published articles and features. You can also read about his current thoughts and topics by following him.

LinkedIn

YouTube

An Examination of Principal Practices and Successful Outcomes for Black Male High School Students

August 2019

Dissertation by Dr. Marck Abraham, for the degree of Ed.D. in Executive Leadership

The purpose of this qualitative study was to examine the strategies used by select secondary school principals to increase the graduation rates among Black males in schools close to urban centers in New York State. Using culturally proficient leadership theory as a lens, this study sought to gain a better understanding of what secondary school principals are doing to increase the graduation rates of Black males.

PUBLISHED VIA SJFC.EDU
READ THE FULL DISSERTATION

Education expert urges teachers to ‘be creative’.

September 2020

Dr. Marck Abraham says teachers currently have the opportunity of a lifetime. According to Abraham, teachers need to find new ways to keep a high level of engagement with their students, especially during this time of remote learning.

“Instead of teaching them about the circumference of a building, actually go downtown and take a video of the building,” Abraham said. “Things that you would never have an opportunity to do because of budget and all the constraints, you have an opportunity to do something that is so amazing.”

Originally aired on WHEC Channel 10 News in Rochester, NY on September 8, 2020.

Watch the full interview

Expert advice for back to school.

September 2020

Dr. Marck Abraham has some advice for everyone involved in getting ready to go back to school.

Originally aired on WGRZ Channel 2 News in Buffalo, NY on September 7, 2020.

Watch the full interview

Student-Centered, Culturally Proficient Leadership

September 2020: Principal Leadership Article

In spring 2020, COVID-19 closed 118,238 schools out of a total of 123,774 schools in the United States, according to MCH Strategic Data. That is 97.61 percent of the entire K–12 population of 57.8 million students. It is no secret that millions of students were displaced from their educational setting. Leaders have a responsibility to address the needs of all learners in these challenging circumstances, particularly those associated with Black male students.

School leadership matters, and school principals make a difference in student achievement. Black male students have the highest referral rate to special education of any population in the country, and according to morbidity and mortality reports by the CDC, their house-holds are being impacted by COVID-19 harder than any other population in the country.

READ THE FULL ARTICLE

Transforming Education and Changing Urban School Culture w/ Dr. Marck Abraham

August 2020

In this podcast Dr. Marck Abraham, former principal of McKinley High School in Buffalo, NY and CEO of MEA Educational Consulting Services, shares how he transformed McKinley High School from a school with a graduation rate of 65%, in danger of a state takeover, to a graduation rate of 87% in the midst of a pandemic. Dr. Abraham also gives insight on how education leaders can transform education and build a positive school culture.

LISTEN TO THE FULL PODCAST

Dr. Marck Abraham Leaves McKinley High School to Consult Underperforming Schools

July 2020

Abraham is credited with helping the school achieve its highest graduation rate in decades at 87 percent. “You have to create a system within a school where kids feel appreciated and valued,” said Dr. Abraham. He’s leaving a successful chapter at McKinley to share that system nationwide. Dr. Abraham is branching out as the CEO of his own consulting firm, which provides solutions for underperforming schools. “I want to follow my heart and follow my dreams of seeing more kids be successful around the country,” he said.

READ THE FULL NEWS ARTICLE AND WATCH THE VIDEO

Culturally Proficient Leadership: Improving the high school graduation rate for black males

February 2020

Currently, black males have the lowest high school graduation rate of any population in the country. However, secondary principals can provide the best answer to creating a culture of success for all students, including black males. Research and experience demonstrate that when black males attend schools with effective leaders, they have higher rates of success. So, what are the successful practices that secondary principals can implement to assist with the high school graduation rate of black male students? Equally important, what do these practices have in common? Read more about the 5 Key Strategies.

READ THE FULL ARTICLE

Increase Graduation Rates Among African American Males

December 2019

McKinley Vocational High School in Buffalo, New York, beats the odds when it comes to graduating African American males. A lot of credit goes to principal Marck Abraham, who took over the reins as principal in the 2016-17 school year after serving as assistant principal there. Nationwide, research shows the graduation rate for black males is 59 percent — the lowest of any population in the country. But at McKinley, the four-year graduation rate for African American males reached 87 percent in 2017 — more than 20 percentage points higher than the New York State average of 63 percent.

SREB Increase Graduation Rates

READ THE FULL ARTICLE

Culturally Responsive Schools in Action… And the Results to Prove It!

October 2019

The academic success rate for minority students, as measured by graduation rate, remains low compared to other students. As schools across New York State are striving to raise the academic performance and career prospects for all students, the graduation rates for young men of color (YMOC) over the past three years have been below 65 percent, compared to 80 percent for all students.

McKinley High School, a high needs school in Buffalo, New York is also leading the way. Principal Dr. Marck Abraham refers to McKinley as “the best school in the land.” Dr. Abraham’s work is featured in this ASCD article authored by colleague, Penny Ciaburri, CEO of PLC Associates, Inc.

ASCD Article

READ THE FULL ARTICLE

DATA: Increasing the Graduation Rates Among African American Males and Males of Color

October 2019

Dr. Marck Abraham’s Data Cycle was presented to the New York State Education Department and the My Brother’s Keeper Series.

Increase Graduation Rates

READ THE FULL PRESENTATION

Western New York educators react to ‘Love Them First’ documentary

September 2019

‘Love Them First’ is a documentary showcasing a principal in Minneapolis fighting labels that impact students and communities. WGRZ News had a group of educators watch and then discuss the film and what they are doing in Buffalo and Niagara Falls schools. Dr. Marck Abraham is featured in this discussion, “It’s our job as leaders and educators to tell kids that you’re special you are important,” he said.

READ THE FULL NEWS ARTICLE AND WATCH THE VIDEO

McKinley principal overcame obstacles to teach – as job hangs in balance

August 2019

Marck Abraham faced pressures growing up and still faces them as principal of McKinley High School, where he tells students that dealing with adversity is a key part of learning to be successful. The Buffalo school administrator is tapping that experience to try to reach young people who face similar challenges in a district that historically has not known how to deal with them except through suspensions or other disciplinary measures. Rather than beating kids down, he wants to lift them up because that’s what people did for him.

READ THE FULL ARTICLE

“Inside McKinley”: how a school overcame scrutiny to become a model for state

March 2019

McKinley High School has battled scrutiny over the past few years, but its principal Marck Abraham says there’s a story that’s not being told. “Adversity comes and when you’re trying to do things that you’ve never done before – pressure hits,” he said. “Pressure is not meant to hurt us, it’s meant to make us better.” And under Abraham’s administration, something happened that has never been done before.

READ THE FULL NEWS ARTICLE AND WATCH THE VIDEO

City of Buffalo Exemplary Principal Award 2018

October 2018

“As Buffalo continues to experience a period of unprecedented growth, development, and progress, I recognize how important school leaders are to the success of our students and we want to take this time to express our appreciation,” said Mayor Brown. “My Administration is pleased to declare October as National Principals Month in the City of Buffalo.

Please join me in letting our school leadership know that we are behind them and recognize their efforts.” As part of Principals Month, Mayor Brown issued a proclamation, declaring the month of October as National Principals Month in the City of Buffalo.

READ THE FULL NEWS ARTICLE